Running head: POINT BY POINT

Maurika Smutherman Point by Point Compare Contrast Essay: Rockwell v. Currin Mrs. Elizabeth Priest Winston-Salem State University

POINT BY POINT Point by Point Compare Contrast Essay: Rockwell v. Currin Thanksgiving has been a longstanding American tradition since its presidential proclamation in 1863 (Greener, 2010). While turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce characterize the custom, Thanksgiving began as a way to celebrate the harvest of the year (Greener, 2010). The holiday is commonly a time for family, prayers of thanks and special ceremonies. Acclaimed painters Norman Rockwell and John Currin portrayed their ideas of Thanksgiving in their respective paintings, Freedom from Want and Thanksgiving. Mood, historical context and color are the most interesting points of comparison between the paintings. Freedom from Want and Thanksgiving suggest distinct moods. Figure 1evokes an intimate, joyful mood. Rockwell portrays each subject with a smile, and even grandma has a smirk on her face as she serves turkey to her family. The male in the bottom right corner of the painting looks over his shoulder, out of the scene, almost as if the viewer is sitting right at the table with him. It is clear that Rockwell wanted to emphasize the values of family, happiness and thanks in Freedom from Want. On the other hand, Figure 2 gives off a dismal mood, as if the painter is harboring a secret about Thanksgiving that only he knows. The three female subjects are uninviting, with the one in the far right looking disinterested as she picks away at a handful of blueberries. The scene is a dark kitchen, with massive columns and gaudy dcor. The raw turkey, marinating in a pool of blood, heightens the bleak mood of the painting.
Figure 1. Rockwell, N. (1943). Freedom from Want [painting]. Retrieved from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d b/Freedom_From_Want.jpg

POINT BY POINT Historical Context is another thought-provoking element concerning Figure 1 and Figure 2. Rockwell painted Freedom from Want as part of his Four Freedoms series, which was inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelts 1941 State of the Union Address, also known as the Four Freedoms Speech (Bennett, 2012). Roosevelt detailed four essential freedoms that everyone should be allowed including freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. Freedom from want can be described in other words as the right to an adequate standard of living (Bennett, 2012). Rockwells message is clear in Figure 1 happiness and family togetherness is a staple of American society. This was a necessary message during the 40s, when Americans had
Figure 2. Currin, J. (2004). Thanksgiving [painting]. Retrieved fromhttp://www.tate.org.uk/art/artwo rks/currin-thanksgiving-l02546

just overcome a depression and the bombing of Pearl Harbor was a recent tragedy (Janairo, 2011). In many ways, the painting is propaganda for war, showing Americans

what it is they have to defend their families. Freedom from Want is the most famous from Rockwells series, and embodies Americas sentimental meaning of Thanksgiving. Conversely, Currins Thanksgiving represents everything that society has tossed aside when it comes to the tradition. Created in 2003, Figure 2 illustrates Americas current attitude towards Thanksgiving apathy. Some might say the painting is representative of what was lost on Sept. 11, 2001, but according to Currin, he began working on the idea before the tragedy. This was an idea that I had started before September 11, but it just didnt workit was a failed painting that sat around in my studio. I decided to retry the idea, and that was when Rachel [Currins wife] got pregnant.

POINT BY POINT The funny thing is that the painting took me exactly nine months to finish, and the painting turned into an allegory of Rachels pregnancy, he said (Theophanidis, 2011). Actually, Currins depiction of Thanksgiving satirizes the countrys emphasis on patriotism. Currin wants viewers to know that turkey, family and happiness are not important. It is necessary to note that Figure 2 was created at the start of the war in Iraq, perhaps serving as propaganda against the war, rather than on behalf of it. Finally, Figure 1 and Figure 2 utilize color in interesting ways. Rockwells painting is bright, the billowing white curtains and spotless tablecloth provoke the viewer to feel a sense of tradition. Thanksgiving is customarily celebrated as a special occasion, requiring the best of the best. Rockwells depiction of the family is lively; their smiles are bright and welcoming, using vivid white. Figure 1 portrays a realistic feel; the dark brown glaze on the turkey is distinct, and the crisp greens beneath the main course look fresh. On the other hand, Currin takes a grim approach to color in Figure 2, choosing to use deep, dark red, brown and black. The brightest color comes from the porcelain skin of the three women, but is washed away into their dark, baggy clothing. Wilting flowers sit in a makeshift vase, dull in color and unappealing. It is obvious that Currins take on Thanksgiving isnt joyful or positive. All in all, Figure 1 and Figure 2 are paintings with clear-cut moods, historical contexts and colors. Both Rockwell and Currin take an interesting and different approach to the interpretation of Thanksgiving, conveying well-defined messages about the holiday.

POINT BY POINT References Bennett, L. (2012, November 17). 'Freedom from Want' and Norman Rockwell are about more than nostalgia . Tampa bay times. Retrieved from http://www.tampabay.com/features/visualarts/freedom-from-want-and-norman-rockwellare-about-more-than-nostalgia/1261746 Greener, R. (2010). The true story of Thanksgiving. Huffington Post, Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-greener/the-true-story-ofthanksg_b_788436.html Janairo, M. (2011, January 09). 70 years after FDR's 'Four Freedoms' speech, Norman Rockwell's iconic images still inspire. Times union. Retrieved from http://www.timesunion.com/entertainment/article /70-years-after-FDR-s-Four-Freedoms-speech-946472.php Theophanidis, P. (2011, November 24). Thanksgiving by John Currin, 2003. Retrieved from http://aphelis.net/thanksgiving-john-currin-2003/